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Hopping Mad: Scottish Groundhop 2023


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Based around East Lothian this season finishing-off that area's clubs.

Penicuik feature on Sunday while Tynecastle's chance to shine comes on Friday night.


Friday 17th March 2023
7:45pm     Tynecastle v Sauchie     (EOS Premier Division)

Saturday 18th March 2023
11:15am     Dunbar United v Coldstream                                    (EOS First Division)
2pm               Haddington Athletic v Dundonald Bluebell     (EOS Premier Division)
5pm               Tranent v Bo'ness United                                             (Lowland)
7:45pm        Musselburgh Athletic v Broxburn Athletic      (EOS Premier Division)

Sunday 19th March 2023
12:15pm     Penicuik Athletic v Lothian Thistle HV               (EOS Premier Division)





Stats from previous editions:

2015          2,269     average 379          16 goals     2.7 per game
2016          2,002     average 334          16 goals     2.7 per game          (1 game was unintended*)
2017          1,303     average 261          18 goals     3.6 per game          (5 games only)
2018              886     average 222          29 goals     7.3 per game          (4 games only as 2 postponed^)
2019          2,271     average 379          30 goals     5.0 per game
2021          2,240     average 374          29 goals     4.9 per game
2022          2,383     average 398          19 goals     3.2 per game


*Civil Service Strollers v Leith Athletic was a last-minute substitute after Preston Athletic v Threave Rovers was postponed waterlogged shortly before kickoff
^Lothian Thistle HV v Tynecastle and Peebles Rovers v Ormiston were waterlogged and snowbound respectively



618     Linlithgow Rose v Jeanfield Swifts
584     Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Linlithgow Rose
517     Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic v Dalbeattie Star
507     Bo'ness United v Civil Service Strollers
491     East Kilbride v Whitehill Welfare
462     Threave Rovers v Edinburgh University
435     Spartans v University of Stirling
434     Crossgates Primrose v Penicuik Athletic
418     Edinburgh City v East Kilbride
410     Glenrothes v Kinnoull
401     Newtongrange Star v Tranent
400     Dalbeattie Star v Edinburgh City

380     Dunipace v Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic
371     Dundonald Bluebell v Tranent
366     Gretna 2008 v Dalbeattie Star
365     Oakley United v Easthouses Lily
356     Camelon v Edinburgh United
328     Blackburn United v Preston Athletic
324     Whitehill Welfare v Gala Fairydean Rovers
323     Gala Fairydean Rovers v University of Stirling
312     Vale of Leithen v Preston Athletic
309     Dalkeith Thistle v Tweedmouth Rangers
301     Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Heriot-Watt University

294     Edinburgh University v Selkirk
288     Peebles Rovers v Newtongrange Star
287     Hawick RAU v East Stirlingshire
281     Selkirk v Spartans
278     Broxburn Athletic v Dundonald Bluebell
278     Kelty Hearts v Tweedmouth Rangers
267     Coldstream v Tynecastle
263     Preston Athletic v Cumbernauld Colts
259     Ormiston v Leith Athletic
235     Mid Annandale v Lochmaben
228     Easthouses Lily v Glenrothes
227     Eyemouth United v Lothian Thistle HV
219     Caledonian Braves v Edinburgh University
207     Heriot-Watt University v Leith Athletic
166     Burntisland Shipyard v Preston Athletic
165     Civil Service Strollers v Leith Athletic*


*Civil Service Strollers v Leith Athletic was a last-minute substitute after Preston Athletic v Threave Rovers was postponed shortly before kickoff

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21 minutes ago, HibeeJibee said:

Based around East Lothian this season finishing-off that area's clubs.

Penicuik feature on Sunday while Tynecastle's chance to shine comes on Friday night.


Friday 17th March 2023
7:45pm     Tynecastle v Sauchie     (EOS Premier Division)

Saturday 18th March 2023
11:15am     Dunbar United v Coldstream                                    (EOS First Division)
2pm               Haddington Athletic v Dundonald Bluebell     (EOS Premier Division)
5pm               Tranent v Bo'ness United                                             (Lowland)
7:45pm        Musselburgh Athletic v Broxburn Athletic      (EOS Premier Division)

Sunday 19th March 2023
12:15pm     Penicuik Athletic v Lothian Thistle HV               (EOS Premier Division)





Stats from previous editions:

2015          2,269     average 379          16 goals     2.7 per game
2016          2,002     average 334          16 goals     2.7 per game          (1 game was unintended*)
2017          1,303     average 261          18 goals     3.6 per game          (5 games only)
2018              886     average 222          29 goals     7.3 per game          (4 games only as 2 postponed^)
2019          2,271     average 379          30 goals     5.0 per game
2021          2,240     average 374          29 goals     4.9 per game
2022          2,383     average 398          19 goals     3.2 per game


*Civil Service Strollers v Leith Athletic was a last-minute substitute after Preston Athletic v Threave Rovers was postponed waterlogged shortly before kickoff
^Lothian Thistle HV v Tynecastle and Peebles Rovers v Ormiston were waterlogged and snowbound respectively



618     Linlithgow Rose v Jeanfield Swifts
584     Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Linlithgow Rose
517     Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic v Dalbeattie Star
507     Bo'ness United v Civil Service Strollers
491     East Kilbride v Whitehill Welfare
462     Threave Rovers v Edinburgh University
435     Spartans v University of Stirling
434     Crossgates Primrose v Penicuik Athletic
418     Edinburgh City v East Kilbride
410     Glenrothes v Kinnoull
401     Newtongrange Star v Tranent
400     Dalbeattie Star v Edinburgh City

380     Dunipace v Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic
371     Dundonald Bluebell v Tranent
366     Gretna 2008 v Dalbeattie Star
365     Oakley United v Easthouses Lily
356     Camelon v Edinburgh United
328     Blackburn United v Preston Athletic
324     Whitehill Welfare v Gala Fairydean Rovers
323     Gala Fairydean Rovers v University of Stirling
312     Vale of Leithen v Preston Athletic
309     Dalkeith Thistle v Tweedmouth Rangers
301     Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Heriot-Watt University

294     Edinburgh University v Selkirk
288     Peebles Rovers v Newtongrange Star
287     Hawick RAU v East Stirlingshire
281     Selkirk v Spartans
278     Broxburn Athletic v Dundonald Bluebell
278     Kelty Hearts v Tweedmouth Rangers
267     Coldstream v Tynecastle
263     Preston Athletic v Cumbernauld Colts
259     Ormiston v Leith Athletic
235     Mid Annandale v Lochmaben
228     Easthouses Lily v Glenrothes
227     Eyemouth United v Lothian Thistle HV
219     Caledonian Braves v Edinburgh University
207     Heriot-Watt University v Leith Athletic
166     Burntisland Shipyard v Preston Athletic
165     Civil Service Strollers v Leith Athletic*


*Civil Service Strollers v Leith Athletic was a last-minute substitute after Preston Athletic v Threave Rovers was postponed shortly before kickoff

Welcome back HJ. Missed your comments these past few weeks👍

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  • 6 months later...
  • 1 month later...

This year's series began last night.

Bumper crowd of 448... 7th highest ever, 3rd highest in Friday slot... saw an entertaining and hard-fought contest under the lights at Meggetland.

Followed by cracking 553 at New Countess this morning... 3rd highest ever, new record for Saturday morning slot.

 

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That was some scene earlier today at NCP. From nine in the morning Groundhoppers taking photos, looking for history, exploring everything about DUFC. A good bunch of folks, a lot of humour and common interests. 
Strangely the most popular photo to get was the trains passing the goals ,,,,, it’s a great sight. 
As reported above, a very healthy crowd in attendance, a very good day weather wise and a game with incidents.

What more could anyone ask for?

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2 hours ago, Man from the East said:

That was some scene earlier today at NCP. From nine in the morning Groundhoppers taking photos, looking for history, exploring everything about DUFC. A good bunch of folks, a lot of humour and common interests. 
Strangely the most popular photo to get was the trains passing the goals ,,,,, it’s a great sight. 
As reported above, a very healthy crowd in attendance, a very good day weather wise and a game with incidents.

What more could anyone ask for?

For us to turn up.

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448     Tynecastle v Sauchie
553     Dunbar United v Coldstream
462     Haddington Athletic v Dundonald Bluebell
607     Tranent v Bo'ness United
557     Musselburgh Athletic v Broxburn Athletic


Millfield crowd joint 6th highest ever (plus 2nd highest ever for Saturday afternoon slot)... Foresters turn out 2nd highest ever in entire Scottish Groundhop history (plus best-ever on Saturday teatime slot)... Olivebank tonight 4th highest ever, and means 2023 breaks the all-time record for a weekend, with Penicuik v LTHV still to come.

If an attendance of 373 or more patronise Cuikie tomorrow, the weekend total will surpass 3,000 plus the average exceed 500 for the first time ever.

Great to see the event going from strength-to-strength.

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1 hour ago, HibeeJibee said:

448     Tynecastle v Sauchie
553     Dunbar United v Coldstream
462     Haddington Athletic v Dundonald Bluebell
607     Tranent v Bo'ness United
557     Musselburgh Athletic v Broxburn Athletic


Millfield crowd joint 6th highest ever (plus 2nd highest ever for Saturday afternoon slot)... Foresters turn out 2nd highest ever in entire Scottish Groundhop history (plus best-ever on Saturday teatime slot)... Olivebank tonight 4th highest ever, and means 2023 breaks the all-time record for a weekend, with Penicuik v LTHV still to come.

If an attendance of 373 or more patronise Cuikie tomorrow, the weekend total will surpass 3,000 plus the average exceed 500 for the first time ever.

Great to see the event going from strength-to-strength.

Still no excuse for no concessions on admission. Regular attendees punished to accommodate this weekend! 

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2 hours ago, HibeeJibee said:

448     Tynecastle v Sauchie
553     Dunbar United v Coldstream
462     Haddington Athletic v Dundonald Bluebell
607     Tranent v Bo'ness United
557     Musselburgh Athletic v Broxburn Athletic


Millfield crowd joint 6th highest ever (plus 2nd highest ever for Saturday afternoon slot)... Foresters turn out 2nd highest ever in entire Scottish Groundhop history (plus best-ever on Saturday teatime slot)... Olivebank tonight 4th highest ever, and means 2023 breaks the all-time record for a weekend, with Penicuik v LTHV still to come.

If an attendance of 373 or more patronise Cuikie tomorrow, the weekend total will surpass 3,000 plus the average exceed 500 for the first time ever.

Great to see the event going from strength-to-strength.

Yes, very much agree it’s great to see such an interest in the games and increase in the attendances.

However, looking at the following table (stats provided from the excellent ‘Attendances’ pages and the above data) there’s a very big anomaly that sticks out.

club  AveAtt  GhAtt    Diff

Tynie   113        448     +335

DUFC  237       553     +316

Haddy 228      462    +234

TJFC    503       607   +104

Mussy  203      557   +354

Rough analysis shows a Ground Hopper base of 300 (+/-50) across all the EoS matches. Strangely, when it comes to the LL team there’s either only 104 hoppers attending with approx 230 going elsewhere, or the TJFC faithfull have found watching the rugby more appealing than going to Forrester Park. If the ground hoppers who attended all the other matches consistently also entered Forrester Park, then that takes the home attendance to around the 300 level. 
Plainly, something just doesn’t add up. However, I’m sure there’s a very valid explanation 😉😉.

For clarification, O believe the attendances at each Groundhopper match are verified independent of the club. 
 

Just another mystery,,,, 

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8 minutes ago, Man from the East said:

Yes, very much agree it’s great to see such an interest in the games and increase in the attendances.

However, looking at the following table (stats provided from the excellent ‘Attendances’ pages and the above data) there’s a very big anomaly that sticks out.

club  AveAtt  GhAtt    Diff

Tynie   113        448     +335

DUFC  237       553     +316

Haddy 228      462    +234

TJFC    503       607   +104

Mussy  203      557   +354

Rough analysis shows a Ground Hopper base of 300 (+/-50) across all the EoS matches. Strangely, when it comes to the LL team there’s either only 104 hoppers attending with approx 230 going elsewhere, or the TJFC faithfull have found watching the rugby more appealing than going to Forrester Park. If the ground hoppers who attended all the other matches consistently also entered Forrester Park, then that takes the home attendance to around the 300 level. 
Plainly, something just doesn’t add up. However, I’m sure there’s a very valid explanation 😉😉.

For clarification, O believe the attendances at each Groundhopper match are verified independent of the club. 
 

Just another mystery,,,, 

Spoke to the Groundhop guy who is tasked to do the actual counts at each of the grounds this year. For Saturday matches, he said that generally, the first/last matches, are best supported, with the two middle matches showing a drop in numbers.
 

This seems to be in favour with what HibeeJibee says in his comments.

The reason the guy gave for his thoughts, is that some of the groundhoppers may choose to do something different between first/last matches, or go to a ‘non groundhop match’, such as the Bonnyrigg Rose v East Fife match. 

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14 minutes ago, Casey Jones said:

Spoke to the Groundhop guy who is tasked to do the actual counts at each of the grounds this year. For Saturday matches, he said that generally, the first/last matches, are best supported, with the two middle matches showing a drop in numbers.
 

This seems to be in favour with what HibeeJibee says in his comments.

The reason the guy gave for his thoughts, is that some of the groundhoppers may choose to do something different between first/last matches, or go to a ‘non groundhop match’, such as the Bonnyrigg Rose v East Fife match. 

Thanks for that, makes sense.

I’ll have a look at the Bonnyrigg numbers tomorrow.

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12 minutes ago, Man from the East said:

Thanks for that, makes sense.

I’ll have a look at the Bonnyrigg numbers tomorrow.

948 

Their last Saturday home match attendance at Bonnyrigg (25 Feb 23) against Stenhousemuir, was 819.

Then the midweek match, against Forfar, (28 Feb 23 @19:45) was 744

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9 minutes ago, Casey Jones said:

948 

Their last Saturday home match attendance at Bonnyrigg (25 Feb 23) against Stenhousemuir, was 819.

Then the midweek match, against Forfar, (28 Feb 23 @19:45) was 744

I’m sure that heard an event organisers say that the ‘official’ group had around 135 tickets sold for the full match package. The rest being Indy lone travellers

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There was a coach and a minivan going around between matches which I assume was the core of the pre-booked groundhoppers.

So assume the others would be independent, so not dedicated to the games.

I took in the last two matches... something to do early, so missed Dunbar game. Wrong side of country, so missed Haddington game (but took in Shotts Bon Accord v Cumbernauld United)

So someone like me possibly skews figures too... just taking advantage of the later kick offs... and dragging the suffering missus with me.

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10 hours ago, Man from the East said:

Yes, very much agree it’s great to see such an interest in the games and increase in the attendances.

However, looking at the following table (stats provided from the excellent ‘Attendances’ pages and the above data) there’s a very big anomaly that sticks out.

club  AveAtt  GhAtt    Diff

Tynie   113        448     +335

DUFC  237       553     +316

Haddy 228      462    +234

TJFC    503       607   +104

Mussy  203      557   +354

Rough analysis shows a Ground Hopper base of 300 (+/-50) across all the EoS matches. Strangely, when it comes to the LL team there’s either only 104 hoppers attending with approx 230 going elsewhere, or the TJFC faithfull have found watching the rugby more appealing than going to Forrester Park. If the ground hoppers who attended all the other matches consistently also entered Forrester Park, then that takes the home attendance to around the 300 level. 
Plainly, something just doesn’t add up. However, I’m sure there’s a very valid explanation 😉😉.

For clarification, O believe the attendances at each Groundhopper match are verified independent of the club. 
 

Just another mystery,,,, 

I actually thought there was between 750- 800 at the Tranent game, but I never done a count so can't argue with the attendance given, like someone said on Facebook it looked like there was 600 at the Pie Hut 🤣

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Roughly as many 'hoppers' make their own arrangements and PATG as take up official packages and a similar number of locals/neutrals also tend to be attracted. Saturday afternoon slot always suffers some leakage to other ties: albeit yesterday you were basically limited to Bonnyrigg, Dalkeith, Edinburgh Utd or amateur.

Penicuik v LTHV attracted 398 taking 2023's total over 3,000... average over 500... and all-time Scottish attendance beyond 16,000.


2015          2,269     average 379          16 goals     2.7 per game
2016          2,002     average 334          16 goals     2.7 per game          (1 game was unintended*)
2017          1,303     average 261          18 goals     3.6 per game          (5 games only)
2018              886     average 222          29 goals     7.3 per game          (4 games only as 2 postponed^)
2019          2,271     average 379          30 goals     5.0 per game
2021          2,240     average 374          29 goals     4.9 per game
2022          2,383     average 398          19 goals     3.2 per game
2023          3,025     average 505          17 goals     2.9 per game


*Civil Service Strollers v Leith Athletic was a last-minute substitute after Preston Athletic v Threave Rovers was postponed waterlogged shortly before kickoff
^Lothian Thistle HV v Tynecastle and Peebles Rovers v Ormiston were waterlogged and snowbound respectively



618     Linlithgow Rose v Jeanfield Swifts
607     Tranent v Bo'ness United
584     Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Linlithgow Rose
557     Musselburgh Athletic v Broxburn Athletic
553     Dunbar United v Coldstream
517     Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic v Dalbeattie Star
507     Bo'ness United v Civil Service Strollers

491     East Kilbride v Whitehill Welfare
462     Haddington Athletic v Dundonald Bluebell
462     Threave Rovers v Edinburgh University
448     Tynecastle v Sauchie
435     Spartans v University of Stirling
434     Crossgates Primrose v Penicuik Athletic
418     Edinburgh City v East Kilbride
410     Glenrothes v Kinnoull
401     Newtongrange Star v Tranent
400     Dalbeattie Star v Edinburgh City

398     Penicuik Athletic v Lothian Thistle HV
380     Dunipace v Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic
371     Dundonald Bluebell v Tranent
366     Gretna 2008 v Dalbeattie Star
365     Oakley United v Easthouses Lily
356     Camelon v Edinburgh United
328     Blackburn United v Preston Athletic
324     Whitehill Welfare v Gala Fairydean Rovers
323     Gala Fairydean Rovers v University of Stirling
312     Vale of Leithen v Preston Athletic
309     Dalkeith Thistle v Tweedmouth Rangers
301     Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Heriot-Watt University

294     Edinburgh University v Selkirk
288     Peebles Rovers v Newtongrange Star
287     Hawick RAU v East Stirlingshire
281     Selkirk v Spartans
278     Broxburn Athletic v Dundonald Bluebell
278     Kelty Hearts v Tweedmouth Rangers
267     Coldstream v Tynecastle
263     Preston Athletic v Cumbernauld Colts
259     Ormiston v Leith Athletic
235     Mid Annandale v Lochmaben
228     Easthouses Lily v Glenrothes
227     Eyemouth United v Lothian Thistle HV
219     Caledonian Braves v Edinburgh University
207     Heriot-Watt University v Leith Athletic
166     Burntisland Shipyard v Preston Athletic
165     Civil Service Strollers v Leith Athletic*


*Civil Service Strollers v Leith Athletic was a last-minute substitute after Preston Athletic v Threave Rovers was postponed shortly before kickoff

Edited by HibeeJibee
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